Why is stored data lost when analyzing the data in the ECU?

I later had a chance to meet and have lunch with a calibration engineer that works for Toyota and he let me in on the “big secret”. Currently Toyota is allowing a substantial error rate in the sensors before they are rejected. This has reduced production costs. He told me that on MAF sensors they allow a 4-6% error rate and 4% on the O2 sensors. My jaw dropped. Even a 4% error rate on a MAF sensor is huge!! So, to protect the engine at high load they just fuel dump to make sure it is overly rich so it will not be to lean. It costs you a little less to buy the vehicle, but you pay for it in more gas down the road if you spend a lot of time at high power settings like me…

More than 70 years ago, Toyota entered the auto business based on a simple, but powerful, principle: that Toyota would build the highest-quality, safest and most reliable automobiles in the world. The company has always put the needs of our customers first and made the constant improvement of our vehicles a top priority. That is why 80 percent of all Toyotas sold in the United States over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

When consumers purchase a Toyota, they are not simply purchasing a car, truck or van. They are placing their trust in our company. The past few weeks, however, have made clear that Toyota has not lived up to the high standards we set for ourselves. More important, we have not lived up to the high standards you have come to expect from us. I am deeply disappointed by that and apologize. As the president of Toyota, I take personal responsibility. That is why I am personally leading the effort to restore trust in our word and in our products.

For much of Toyota's history, we have ensured the quality and reliability of our vehicles by placing a device called an andon cord on every production line -- and empowering any team member to halt production if there's an assembly problem. Only when the problem is resolved does the line begin to move again.

Two weeks ago, I pulled the andon cord for our company. I ordered production of eight models in five plants across North America temporarily stopped so that we could focus on fixing our customers' vehicles that might be affected by sticking accelerator pedals. Today, Toyota team members and dealers across North America are working around the clock to repair all recalled vehicles.

But to regain the trust of American drivers and their families, more is needed. We are taking responsibility for our mistakes, learning from them and acting immediately to address the concerns of consumers and independent government regulators.

First, I have launched a top-to-bottom review of our global operations to ensure that problems of this magnitude do not happen again and that we not only meet but exceed the high safety standards that have defined our long history. As part of this, we will establish an Automotive Center of Quality Excellence in the United States, where a team of our top engineers will focus on strengthening our quality management and quality control across North America.

Second, to ensure that our quality-control operations are in line with best industry practices, we will ask a blue-ribbon safety advisory group composed of respected outside experts in quality management to independently review our operations and make sure that we have eliminated any deficiencies in our processes. The findings of these experts will be made available to the public, as will Toyota's responses to these findings.

Third, we fully understand that we need to more aggressively investigate complaints we hear directly from consumers and move more quickly to address any safety issues we identify. That is what we are doing by addressing customer concerns about the Prius and Lexus HS250h anti-lock brake systems.

We also are putting in place steps to do a better job within Toyota of sharing important quality and safety information across our global operations. This shortcoming contributed to the current situation. With respect to sticking accelerator pedals, we failed to connect the dots between problems in Europe and problems in the United States because the European situation related primarily to right-hand-drive vehicles.

Toyota will increase its outreach to government agencies charged with protecting the safety of motorists and passengers. I have spoken with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and given him my personal assurance that lines of communications with safety agencies and regulators will be kept open, that we will communicate more frequently and that we will be more vigilant in responding to those officials on all matters.

In recent years, much has been written about what we call "the Toyota Way" -- the values and principles at the heart of our company. Chief among these is our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement: going to the source of a problem and fixing it. While problems with our cars have been rare over the years, the issues that Toyota is addressing today are by far the most serious we have ever faced.

But great companies learn from their mistakes, and we know that we have to win back the trust of our customers by adhering to the very values on which that trust was first built. The hundreds of thousands of men and women at Toyota operations worldwide -- including the 172,000 team members and dealers in North America -- are among the best in the auto industry. Whatever problems have occurred within our company, the strength and commitment to fix them resides within our company as well.

You have my commitment that Toyota will revitalize the simple but powerful principle that has guided us for 50 years: Toyota will build the highest-quality, safest and most reliable automobiles in the world.

The writer is president of Toyota Motor Co.

Akio Toyoda explains what the company is doing to ensure they still plan to remain known for quality and longevity.

If you live in the Maryland, Pennsylvania or West Virginia area, then Younger Toyota can help you with your Toyota Recall.

Great information on how to tell if your 2010 Prius will be part of the recall which is a reflash of the Brake ECU.

It is a pedal issue, not an ECT problem. The main problem comes in because of the type if plastic that is being used. Apparently, the CTS pedal uses a different resin/plastic that can wear down faster than the Denso brand. Unofficially, and through the grapevine mind you, I heard that Toyota already has the fix. A simple shim made of metal that will be installed in the CTS pedals. The medal will significantly reduce the wear factor. Again, this is nothing official, just what I have heard through normally very reliable sources. Toyota is currently building some 100,000 of these shims per day running 24/7.

I guess we will see what the real fix is later in the week.

This seems like it could be the cause, humidity and moisture could be the culprit here

Posted to: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Corporate, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia, Toyota, Tundra

Frequently Asked Questions For Sticking Accelerator Pedal Recall and Suspension of Sales

Which models are affected by the recall/stop sale?

Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:

• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry 
• 2010 Highlander except hybrid models,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.

What is the condition that has prompted Toyota to take this action?
In rare instances, there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.

What is the likelihood that my vehicle will experience this condition?
The condition is rare and does not occur suddenly. It can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.

Are you continuing to investigate other models?
Toyota is confident that all models that contain the potentially sticking pedals have been identified.

Why has Toyota stopped selling the affected vehicles? 
Until Toyota has finalized an appropriate remedy to address the potential for sticking accelerator pedals, a sales suspension is necessary.

How long will this stop sale be in effect?
New cars covered by this recall will not be delivered until a remedy is finalized and then implemented.

When do you expect to have a remedy?
We’re making every effort to remedy this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.

What options are you exploring for a remedy?
We are reviewing a number of different options, and we hope to announce a remedy soon.
 

What should I do if I believe my vehicle is affected by this condition, i.e. I have noticed that my accelerator pedal is hard to depress, slow to return or is unsmooth during operation. What should I do?
The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance.

What if you experience a sticking accelerator pedal while driving?
Each circumstance may vary, and drivers must use their best judgment, but Toyota recommends taking the following actions:

• If you need to stop immediately, the vehicle can be controlled by stepping on the brake pedal with both feet using firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal as it will deplete the vacuum utilized for the power brake assist.
• Shift the transmission gear selector to the Neutral (N) position and use the brakes to make a controlled stop at the side of the road and turn off the engine.
• If unable to put the vehicle in Neutral, turn the engine OFF. This will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the power assist to these systems will be lost.

• If the vehicle is equipped with an Engine Start/Stop button, firmly and steadily push the button for at least three seconds to turn off the engine. Do NOT tap the Engine Start/Stop button. 
• If the vehicle is equipped with a conventional key-ignition, turn the ignition key to the ACC position to turn off the engine. Do NOT remove the key from the ignition as this will lock the steering wheel.

If I am an owner of one of the affected vehicles, what action do I need to take?
Toyota is working quickly to prepare a correction remedy and will issue owner notifications in the future.  No action is required at this time unless you feel you are experiencing this condition.  If you are experiencing this condition, immediately contact your nearest Toyota Dealer for assistance.

Toyota stated that this did not affect new/low mileage vehicles, has the situation changed?
The law requires that the entire universe of new vehicles identified in our recall notice must be included in the stop sale.

Why are you stopping production at your factories?
Production is being stopped temporarily at five North American production facilities to assess and coordinate activities related to the recall announced on January 21.

What should I do if I still have questions or concerns?
If you still have questions or concerns that have not been addressed here, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. 
The Toyota Customer Experience Center hours are:
Mon - Fri, 5:00 am - 6:00 pm PST
Sat, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm PST  

Accelerator Pedal Module

The accelerator pedal module converts the driver’s accelerator pedal effort to an electric signal, and sends the signal to the engine ECU, which controls engine power and acceleration. DENSO’s small, long-lasting accelerator pedal module feels the same to drivers as a conventional mechanical accelerator pedal. DENSO Technology – Leading the World In 2002, DENSO introduced the world’s first accelerator pedal module that integrated DENSO’s non-contact revolution sensor with a pedal part, achieving long life and small size. The accelerator pedal module, including the pedal part is made of resin, resulting in light weight. Benefits and Features Long life and high reliability The non-contact revolution sensor lasts longer than contact type sensors. The non-contact revolution sensor has two hall ICs which detect the pedal revolution, and one of the hall ICs works as a safety sensor, providing high reliability. Small size and light weight Integrating the non-contact sensor with the pedal part and making the accelerator pedal module of resin result in small size and light weight. Excellent drivability DENSO’s accelerator pedal module has specific hysteretic pedal force characteristics (see the graph below), providing the same feeling as mechanical accelerator pedals. High flexibility The electric output characteristics of the sensor can be set in accordance with customer’s specifications. DENSO provides two types of accelerator pedal modules – resin rod type and iron rod type – to meet customer’s needs. Structure of Non-contact Revolution Sensor Pedal Force Characteristics

2002 Denso introduced the first accelerator module with non-contact revolution sensor.

Two hall IC's - one which works as safety sensor.

There's also two types of pedal modules, resin rod type and iron rod type.